Chapter Eleven
Luc
“This is our in with Sage.” Luc barely paid attention to Nic’s hurried whisper. He was too caught up in watching Sage, their third, handle a hotel client with efficiency and just the right amount of friendliness without being over the top about it.
“What do you mean by our in?” Nic was still stabbing at Sage’s computer screen.
“A lead for how we can be seen as decent mates,” Nic hissed.
He dragged Luc over to the side of the room, not too far away.
They both still wanted to watch Sage working.
“This thing here, look. He’s trying to organize flights to go to Iceland.
It looks like it’s a sudden trip – perhaps some kind of emergency.
He’s planning to fly out tomorrow. We have a plane, big boy. We can help him.”
“Help him do what exactly?” Luc couldn’t resist looking back at Sage, who was still talking on the phone.
“What on earth would he be doing in Iceland?” Then the place dinged an alarm bell in his brain, and he looked at Nic in concern.
“Hang on a minute. You always said you didn’t want to go anywhere near that part of the world anymore. Look.”
He tapped on another tab that Sage had open – a map showing towns in Iceland.
Luc pointed farther north. “Look, up here. This is where you and I met. As much as I think this is a really sweet idea, and it would be a perfect way for us to spend some time with him, hon, you didn’t want to go there anymore.
You haven’t been north of Ontario in years. ”
“I can do this.” Luc absolutely loved the determination in Nic’s eyes.
“I don’t know why he’s going, and hopefully, he doesn’t have to stay there long, but we could make this trip with him.
Look at his search terms. He’s looking for cheap, inexpensive, discount.
Luc, maybe he hasn’t got a lot of money… ”
“We can’t assume that,” Luc said quickly. “That suit he’s wearing is not cheap. A bit dated, but perhaps he’s just careful with his money.”
“Yes, I know. We have to ask him,” Nic said. “But don’t you see? This could be a perfect idea. We’ve got a plane. And it’s not like we can’t rent a car when we get there. Take Sage wherever he wants to go. That would be us being super helpful and supportive mates.”
And I’ll probably be the only one who knows how much this idea is costing you mentally, Luc thought. “I think that’s a lovely idea,” he said softly. “Genuinely, good thinking, love.”
He and Nic had spent the afternoon curled up together on their bed, talking at times and dozing at others. They had heard the staff preparing the party outside the door, but Luc trusted the people they had working for them. Nic was far more important than worrying about a party setup.
It had been a rough few days – from being on the island and cutting their holiday short. Talking to the Oracle and the implications of it. Arguing never sat right with Luc, and he hadn’t forgotten it was only a matter of hours before he’d seriously considered that he and Nic would have to split up.
Being held, and holding Nic in return, was a semblance of normality Luc didn’t know he needed.
He felt a lot calmer and centered with his relationship with Nic now – no more secrets, and they were on the same page.
And it’s New Year’s Eve, he thought. That’s got to count for something, right? Make a wish. Hope it comes true.
“Sage is finished on the phone,” Luc said, keeping his voice low. “We’ve got to get him to have dinner with us first.”
“I know. That might be an issue,” Nic said. “Did you hear what he said about us owning the hotel. Is asking him to dinner going to be weird? Gods, would that be another HR nightmare?”
“It’ll be fine.” At least Luc hoped it would be fine. “This is Sage’s last shift. I can’t see him making a complaint, especially after we’ve talked to him, and neither will anybody else. Come on.”
Sage had finished the call and was looking at his laptop which Nic was still holding.
“I haven’t got anything to hide on there,” he said as Luc and Nic stepped back in front of the counter.
“I wasn’t doing anything wrong, and I did check with Barry if it was all right to use my own laptop if things were quiet.
I’m trying to arrange some transport for an urgent trip I need to make.
” Sage’s smile was uncertain. “He promised me it wasn’t very busy this evening and that nobody would mind.
Is there an issue with your party? Did you need me to contact somebody for you? ”
“No, actually. We wanted to have a talk with you. In private,” Luc added, flashing his brightest smile. Looking over toward the door, he called out, “George, can you come in here? You know how this phone system works and the emails, don’t you?”
George straightened his spine as he strode across the foyer. “Yes, boss, I’ve seen Marty and Barry do it a million times. It’s not difficult as long as you remember to type in the address for the right department.”
“Thank you for being so observant. As you heard Sage, and likely Barry, say, too, it won’t be very busy.
You and your brother can take turns between manning the door and manning the desk.
We’d like Sage to come with us, so we’ll leave you to it.
I’ll be sure to add something extra to your paychecks. Happy New Year.”
Confident George could take care of things, Luc softened his voice as he turned back to their third. “Sage, if you could come with us, please.”
“I guess I’m going then.” Luc noticed that Sage and George were exchanging glances, and he felt his kraken grumble. It’s all right. Sage is just unsure, he sent to his animal side. It’ll be fine. He’ll be with us shortly.
“Do I need to bring my backpack?” Sage pointed under the counter.
“That might be a good idea,” Nic said. “But please don’t worry. We’re not firing you. We just want to talk to you.”
Luc didn’t think that Sage was very reassured, but then Sage bent over, and Luc bit the inside of his bottom lip. That was one cute ass hiding underneath that jacket. And from the nudge in his ribs, Luc knew that Nic had noticed too.
Picking up his backpack, Sage slung it over one shoulder, and then he came out from behind the counter. “Are we going to your office? I have to admit, I never got a tour of the hotel, so I’m unclear of where anything is outside of the lobby.”
“We thought it would be nice if we all shared a meal while we chat,” Nic said, moving to Sage’s other side.
Luc was aware they looked like a pair of oversized protective bookends as they headed to the elevator.
“It’s in one of the private dining rooms, so you don’t have to worry about anyone else listening in. ”
“I’m still not sure what you want to talk to me about.” But Sage was walking with them, although Luc shortened his steps and noticed Nic did the same.
“Barry did tell me you’re hosting your end-of-year party on the penthouse floor. Shouldn’t you be having fun with your guests?”
“The guests come for food and drink – they don’t need us there to enjoy that,” Nic said.
“We’ve said hello to everybody. We’ve wished them all a happy New Year,” Luc added with a grin. “We don’t need to talk to them anymore. Besides, we have excellent and attentive staff who will make sure the guests find their way out before morning.”
They got into the elevator, and Luc reached over and pressed the button for the second floor. As the door closed, Luc marveled at how right they looked together in the mirrored walls. He could tell from Nic’s smirk, his mate thought that too.
“You came to our notice, and we wanted to talk to you about a personal matter – a matter we believe will impact you in hopefully a positive way.” Luc felt he should keep talking.
Sage’s nervousness was evident in the enclosed space.
But Luc could also pick up a thread of Sage’s arousal in his intriguing scent.
Our precious third has got the instincts, even if he doesn’t have the sniffing capacity, he thought, smiling at Nic over the top of Sage’s head.
/~/~/~/~/
Sage
What in a tentacled garden full of goodness is going on? I was just doing my job. I’m still on the clock. It’s my last shift. Marty will be back tomorrow. Surely these guys know that?
Sage had already pinched himself. He was keeping step with the same two men who’d featured in more than a few fantasies he had over the years.
Not being escorted off the premises, which was his initial worry.
No. Apparently, the men wanted to share a meal with him.
With me! How did that happen? Is it take a non-para out for a meal day, and no one told me?
The thing was, Sage could tell both Nic and Luc seemed really happy – almost as if they were thrilled that insignificant Sage Stirling had agreed to have a meal with them.
Actually, Sage didn’t remember agreeing to the meal as such, but he had learned through his studies that some shifter types liked to have meetings over a meal.
Or is that wolves? If they share food with a person, the wolves are showing they won’t eat the guest. Does that apply to krakens, too? None of Sage’s studies had prepared him for sharing food with tentacled shifters. He worked with natural creatures. I am a little bit out of my depth.
There was also the little matter of Nic still holding onto his laptop. Sage needed to make those travel bookings – as quickly as possible. There was a life on the line. It’s a meal, he reminded himself as the elevator dinged and the door slid open.
I have no idea how I came to their attention or what personal matter they want to talk to me about. Then Sage had another thought – perhaps it concerns my research? Although Sage couldn’t think why. No one needs to learn about tentacled beings if they are tentacled beings themselves.
The two men escorted him down a wide carpeted hallway, before opening a dark brown door and ushering him into another room.
It was tastefully decorated with a cream-patterned wallpaper and deep chocolate brown velvet curtains.
One wall had an open fireplace, where a crackling fire lent a warmth and elegance to the room.
The lighting was dim, not dark, and in the middle of the room, a table was set up with a candle centerpiece.
Three chairs were placed at an even distance around the circular tabletop, and the table settings suggested Sage was going to be offered more than just a sandwich. A nice meal, Sage amended his thoughts.
Smiling at Luc, who held the back of his chair, Sage sat down. I sure hope someone tells me why I’m here.